THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

The guidance from the Diocese of Marquette also states that transgender people may not receive communion.

"The Marquette diocese's instructions are the most egregious and exclusionary I have ever seen," said Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive director of the pro-LGBTQI+ Catholic organization DignityUSA, in a statement Windy City Times received. "It is appalling that, under the guise of 'pastoral care,' this document essentially strips LGBTQ+ people from any role in the church other than sinner."

"This document is trying to use our church's sacraments to coerce compliance with church teachings that the vast majority of US Catholics do not accept," added Duddy-Burke. "It cannot prevent people from recognizing that we are transgender or gay. But it is a cruel attempt to prevent LGBTQ+ people from living as we were created, becoming our true selves, and experiencing the joy and grace of loving relationships. That just won't work. What it will do is shame people, potentially into despair and suicide. It will certainly force people out of the church, including both LGBTQ+ people and those who support them."

The Washington Post reported the the diocese issued the policy in July but it only recently sparked a debate after a prominent priest and advocate for LGBTQ Catholics shared it on Twitter.